Question:
What is the difference between the terms ‘hydrolysis’ and ‘hydration’?
Solution:
Hydrolysis is defined as a chemical reaction in which hydrogen and hydroxide ions (H+ and OH– ions) of water molecule react with a compound to form products. For example:
$\mathrm{NaH}+\mathrm{H}_{2} \mathrm{O} \longrightarrow \mathrm{NaOH}+\mathrm{H}_{2}$
Hydration is defined as the addition of one or more water molecules to ions or molecules to form hydrated compounds. For example:
$\mathrm{CuSO}_{4}+5 \mathrm{H}_{2} \mathrm{O} \longrightarrow \mathrm{CuSO}_{4} \cdot 5 \mathrm{H}_{2} \mathrm{O}$